A project to improve areas around Reading has attracted more than 70 young people over the summer holidays.

The Noise Project, run by St Laurence Church, in Friar Street, is now in its fifth year and has seen the highest number of participants so far.

A team of teenagers armed with paint and rollers got to work on a graffiti-covered wall in Christchurch Meadows as part of their week of community activities.

Other schemes tackled by a total of 72 young volunteers included clearing graffiti in Palmer Park, building benches and bird boxes for a children’s outdoor classroom in Lousehill Copse, in Tilehurst, and shifting two tonnes of wood chip and clearing thorn bushes to lay new paths.

They have also undertaken gardening projects at No 5 Counselling Service and Gloucester Road Pre-School, West Reading, as well as clearing out a stagnant pond of litter, trees and trolleys.

Chris West, youth work director at St Laurence Church, said: “It has been the best year yet.

“It’s such a great sight as a youth worker to see young people equipped and able to make a positive difference to their town through serving, painting, digging. Of course, the young people were provided with water and sunscreen throughout the days as well as bacon butty breakfasts and packed lunches to keep them going.”

The activities during the week, beginning Monday, July 23, were also satisfying for the youngsters.